Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Bajirao Peshwa

Shrimant Baji Rao Vishwanath Bhatt or Bajirao Peshwa, as the man of action is commonly called, was the son of the first Peshwa of the Maratha Empire in Maharashtra, Balaji Vishwanath. Bajirao was very popular amongst the soldiers as he was never afraid to lead the battalion from the front.

One of the bravest in the line of Maratha rulers in Maharashtra, Bajirao was responsible for the initiative taken towards territorial expansion.

Bajirao Peshwa was also responsible for the betterment of the government affairs.

Bajirao Peshwa ascended the throne in the year 1721 at the age of 20 and remained on throne till 1740. He is not known to have lost even one battle that he has fought. He took advantage of the weakening of the Mughal Empire after the death of Aurangzeb. His policy of territorial expansion helped the Maratha Empire to grow in size. However, the administration was a little bit neglected due to which there was the gradual penetration of the English. However he was successful in bringing Malwa, Gujarat and Bundelkhand under the Maratha rule in Maharashtra.

As much as he was dedicated towards his work, he was an artistic person as well.

He built the Shaniwar Wada palace in the capital city of Pune.

It is said that Shivaji created the Maratha state and Bajirao transformed the state into an empire.

He gave the empire a stability which it needed very much. He is one of the great rulers that the state of Maharashtra has seen.